Fifteen years of work have turned four hayfields into a diverse native grassland/wetland complex and outstanding bird habitat. An innovative monitoring approach blending volunteer Bird Conservation Network monitors results with additional contractor visits and extensive analysis yielded insights about how the birds are using the sites’ different habitat features. Blocking of drain tiles, removal of hundreds of acres of invasive and planted woody material and control of leafy spurge and a large infestation of reed canary grass are some of the team’s accomplishments. Extensive monitoring efforts have documented the response of native flora in the sites’ new mesic and wet prairies, sedge meadows and emergent wetlands. Representatives of the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Openlands, Living Habitats, and the Bird Conservation Network will be present. We’ll enjoy shorebirds, herons and early grassland birds.

DIRECTIONS AND DETAILS:We will meet in the parking lot on the north side of Flossmoor west of Central Ave. and east of Ridgeland Ave. We will spend 30-40 minutes in the parking lot scoping the grassland and discussing the restoration, and then will take a walk which may go off trail. If you plan to go on the walk, wear long pants and long sleeves, waterproof shoes, and a hat. To register contact: Judy Pollock, jpbobolink@gmail.com. For more information about the work at the site, visit http://www.openlands.org/tinley-creek-bartel-grassland

This walk is one of a monthly series of Bird Conservation Success Stories in Cook County. Support for the series was generously provided by the Forest Preserves of Cook County andU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through Chicago Wilderness.